FORGOTTEN DARTERS - Josephus Schenk causes shock against Peter Manley at 2005 PDC World Championship

In this series of articles, we reminisce about Forgotten Darters from the past with today seeing the turn of the Dutchman, Josephus Schenk who caused a major shock at the 2005 PDC World Championship.

Back then, only two Dutchman played at the PDC World Championship. In addition to Roland Scholten came the case of Josephus Schenk with a lot expected of the former compared to the latter.

In the opening round, Schenk still had all the trouble in the world with the American Darin Young, who he narrowly beat 3-2. In the second round he beat the Englishman Alan Caves with a 3-0 win. Schenk was suddenly, together with Scholten, in the third round. There he caused a huge surprise by beating third seed Peter Manley 4-2. 

Schenk's fairy tale ended in the last sixteen after a 4-1 defeat against Andy Hamilton. Scholten was also out in the last sixteen after a 4-2 defeat against Denis Ovens.

Schenk also remained active in the PDC the following years and was able to qualify for the World Championship a second time in 2007. This time with less success because already in the opening round he went out against former world champion Dennis Priestley.

In 2009 'The Orange Machine' made the switch to the BDO / WDF circuit. There he reached the last 64 at the Sunparks Masters, Flanders Open, Dutch Open and Antwerp Open. In 2019 he made his mark for the last time by reaching the semi-finals together with his fellow countryman Derk Telnekes in the pairs tournament at the Dutch Open.